Process and system for recovery of energy from geothermal brines and other water containing sources

ABSTRACT

Process and system for recovery of energy from geothermal brines and other water containing or hot water sources, which comprises direct contact heat exchange between the brine or hot water, and a working fluid, e.g. n-butane, in a heat transfer column, the heat transfer column being operated in the subcritical pressure region of the working fluid, preferably close to or approaching the apex of the saturated vapor curve for such working fluid on the Mollier enthalpy-entropy diagram for such fluid. The heated working fluid exiting the top of the heat transfer column is expanded through an expander to produce work. The discharge from the expander is cooled to condense working fluid which is separated in an accumulator, from condensed water vapor present in the working fluid, and the condensed working fluid is pressurized and fed back to the heat transfer column. Water from the accumulator can be fed to an H 2  S removal system where good quality water can be recovered. Cooled brine or water from the bottom of the heat transfer column and water from the accumulator are fed to a flashing device such as a flash drum, and the working fluid flashed off is compressed and returned to the cooler at the expander discharge, for condensation and recovery. Also, entrained liquid phase working fluid can be separated from the cooled brine or water prior to flashing, and returned to the system. Uncondensible gases plus some working fluid losses are vented from the accumulator, and preferably the system can be operated under conditions to vent a minimum of uncondensible gases from the accumulator, and thereby reduce working fluid losses, Any accumulator vent gas can be fed to the H 2  S removal system.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending applications, Ser. Nos. 589,068 and 611,310 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,089,175, both filed June 23, 1975, and Ser. No. 763,533, filed Jan. 28, 1977, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the recovery of energy from geothermal brines and other hot water sources, and is particularly concerned with a process and system of the aforementioned type, employing direct contact heat exchange between the hot brine or other water containing fluid such as hot water feed, and a working fluid, wherein the heated working fluid is expanded to produce work, and the expanded and discharged working fluid is recycled to the heat transfer column, and further providing for working fluid recovery under conditions to afford minimum working fluid loss and maximum energy extracted from the expander.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,988,895 to Sheinbaum discloses power generation from hot brines by passing a hot fluid in direct contact heat exchange relation with a working fluid. The working fluid is vaporized and the vaporized working fluid is passed through a power extracting gas expansion device.

The prior art has failed, however, to recognize fully the problem of working fluid loss in uncondensible gases which come into the system particularly with the hot brine or hot water and which must be vented. Further, the prior art has not fully appreciated and solved the problem of working fluid loss in exit brine or hot water from the heat transfer column.

In my copending application, Ser. No. 589,068, filed June 23, 1975, there is described a process and system comprising heating the brine or hot water source in a direct contact heat transfer column, and having as an important feature the operation of the heat transfer column at or above the critical pressure of the working fluid, with the hot brine or hot water feed at or above the critical temperature of the working fluid, and converting the working fluid to a dense phase fluid. The heated working fluid is then passed through an expander to produce work, and the working fluid discharged from the expander is cooled and condensed, and such working fluid is separated and pumped back to the heat transfer column to be heated and carried through the cycle repeatedly.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a process and system for recovery of energy from geothermal brines and hot water sources by operation of a heat transfer column providing direct heat transfer between the hot brine or hot water, and a working fluid, under conditions of operation particularly with respect to pressure in the heat transfer column in relation to the critical pressure of the working fluid, different from the critical or supercritical conditions of my above application, yet affording maximum energy recovery for any individual working fluid. A further object is to provide a process and system of the aforementioned type which operates under subcritical pressure conditions with respect to the working fluid in the heat transfer column, in contrast to the critical or supercritical pressure conditions of operation of my above copending application. A further object is the provision in the procedure and system, for removal of working fluid from the exit brine or water from the column and recovery of such working fluid. A still further object is the control of the working fluid concentration in the uncondensible vent gas from the system to obtain an economic balance between energy recovery from the process and system, and working fluid loss in the uncondensible vent gas. Yet another object is to operate under conditions to substantially reduce the quantity of vent gas containing working fluid that vents from the system to thereby minimize working fluid losses, while maximizing energy recovery. Still another object is the provision of simple and efficient procedure for removing the major portion of uncondensible gases from the incoming brine or hot water source prior to introduction into the heat transfer column. Another object is the provision of procedure and system for converting H₂ S in such removed uncondensible gases to sulfur. Another object is to use the H₂ S converting system in conjunction with the above process to also handle condensed water and any vent gas from the accumulator, thus reducing air and water pollution problems and recovering good quality water.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above objects are achieved according to the invention by the provision of a process and system for recovering energy from geothermal brines and other water containing or hot water sources such as waters heated by solar energy or other means, the energy being recovered from the brine or hot water using a working fluid such as a hydrocarbon, e.g. n-butane. The working fluid is heated by the brine or hot water preferably in a direct contact heat transfer column. The heated working fluid is passed through an expander to produce work, which is used to generate electricity or drive equipment. The working fluid from the expander is condensed in a cooler. Condensed working fluid, water and uncondensed gas are separated in an accumulator. The cool liquid working fluid is pumped from the accumulator to the heat transfer column to be heated and carried through the cycle repeatedly.

Cooled brine or water which heated the working fluid in the heat transfer column exits from the bottom of the column which acts as a liquid-liquid separator to minimize entrainment of the working fluid. This cooled brine or water withdrawn from the column can be mixed with water separated from the working fluid in the accumulator, and is flashed at a pressure lower than that in the accumulator to flash off entrained and dissolved working fluid in the brine or water from the heat transfer column. The flashed working fluid is then compressed and fed to the cooler at the discharge from the expander, which is used to condense working fluid, and thus is recovered.

According to one mode of operation, uncondensible gases which are introduced into the system with the feed brine or hot water are vented from the system at the accumulator, and carry away some of the expanded working fluid. If desired, stripping of the cooled brine or water withdrawn from the column, with uncondensed gas from the accumulator for recovery of working fluid from such brine or cool water can be employed, if necessary, to further decrease the loss of working fluid in such exit brine or water. In this embodiment, uncondensed gas is vented from the accumulator preferably under pressure control set for an economic balance between working fluid loss in the vent gas and energy recovery in the expander.

According to an alternative preferred mode of operation, the working fluid recovery flash system is operated at a sufficiently high pressure in relation to the pressure in the accumulator so that the recycle of uncondensible gases to the accumulator is substantially reduced, thus substantially reducing or eliminating the discharge of any vent gas from the accumulator. Although such procedure will increase the loss of working fluid in the brine or hot water discharged from the flash system, the total loss of working fluid is less than in the first mode of operation noted above. This preferred alternative mode of procedure allows the accumulator to be operated essentially at the working fluid saturation pressure corresponding to the working fluid temperature in the accumulator. This procedure maximizes the energy that can be extracted in the expander.

In order to decrease the loss of working fluid in any gas which is vented from the system, the hot water or brine feed to the heat transfer column is initially degassed. This operation will decrease the amount of any uncondensible vent gas from the accumulator, and the loss of working fluid therewith. A preferred procedure for this purpose is by simple flashing of the brine, and recovery of the energy of the resulting steam in a steam expander.

An important feature of the present invention process and system resides in operating the heat transfer column so that the top of the column is in the subcritical pressure region of the working fluid close to or approaching the apex of the saturated vapor curve on the Mollier diagram for such fluid. This procedure provides a working fluid boiling zone at the top of the column. In view of the lower pressure of the resulting vaporized working fluid as compared to operation under critical or supercritical conditions, somewhat less energy is recovered per lb. of working fluid but more lbs. of working fluid are circulated resulting in similar energy recovery per stage but a lower cold brine temperature. Advantages which can accrue from operation under subcritical pressure conditions include simplicity of controls.

In normal operation, since the cooled brine or water exiting the column and which is flashed off to recover entrained or dissolved working fluid, can still be at a relatively high temperature, in order to maximize the recovery of energy from the hot brine or hot water feed, two or more units of the basic system noted above can be employed in series, the flashed exit brine or water from one unit of the system serving as the feed to the heat transfer column of the second like unit, etc. In such modification a different working fluid can be employed in the heat transfer column of the second unit from the working fluid in the heat transfer column of the first unit, in order to adjust the conditions of the hot working fluid in the second heat transfer column to a point near the apex of the saturation curve on a Mollier diagram and thus maximize energy recovery.

Another invention feature is the use of mixtures of working fluids, e.g. in the heat transfer column of the above noted second unit, in order to adjust the position of the working fluid saturation curve apex, and to thus obtain optimum operation.

A further feature of the invention is the flashing or stripping of working fluid contained in the exit brine or water from the heat transfer column, followed by compression and condensation of such working fluid to provide recovery of working fluid from such exit brine or water.

A still further feature of the invention is the degassing of the feed brine or hot water prior to introduction into the heat transfer column, and accumulator pressure control for economic balance between energy recovery and working fluid loss in the vent gas from the accumulator, affording minimum working fluid loss.

Another feature according to a preferred embodiment is the degassing of feed brine or hot water for removal preferably of the major portion of uncondensible gases therein, by a simple flash and work expansion of the overhead steam.

Still another feature includes an H₂ S removal system involving stripping a mixture of condensate obtained by cooling the above brine flash and work expanded steam, and H₂ S-containing water condensate from the accumulator, with just enough air to meet the needs of a modified Claus process for converting the H₂ S to sulfur, and feeding the resultant overhead mixture containing air, steam, and H₂ S, to such modified Claus process, for recovery of sulfur, good quality water, and net electrical energy output. Any vent gas from the accumulator can also be introduced directly into the Claus process.

Additional features include the use of one or more liquid expanders in the exit brine line from the bottom of the heat transfer column to recover additional energy, the use of one or more parallel plate working fluid or oil separators in the brine exit system to reduce entrainment and loss of working fluid, and provision for injection of spent brine into a brine injection well.

The invention process and system including particularly a combination of certain of the above features affords an economical and highly practical process and system for energy recovery from geothermal brines and other hot water sources.

THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description of the invention, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating one mode of practice of the invention process and system;

FIG. 1a is a modification of the process and system of FIG. 1, employing two flash drums;

FIG. 2 is a further modification of the process and system illustrated in FIG. 1, employing a stripping column for working fluid recovery instead of a flash drum;

FIG. 3 illustrates a modification of the process and system of FIG. 1, wherein the brine or water feed to the heat transfer column is the continuous phase;

FIG. 4 is a modification of the basic system illustrated in FIG. 1, employing a plurality of the basic units shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates a Mollier diagram for a typical working fluid, such as n-butane, showing operation under subcritical condition according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a preferred mode of practice of the invention; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a preferred H₂ S removal process and system employing particularly in conjunction with the preferred practice of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawing, geothermal brine or other water containing fluid such as hot water enters through inlet means or conduit 10 into degassing unit 12 where uncondensible gases are removed through outlet means or conduit 14. For this purpose steam stripping can be used, the steam being introduced at 15 into the degasser. If desired, other means such as simple flashing or the use of a solid adsorption medium, e.g. a zeolite, or other means can be employed for this purpose. Usually, the uncondensible gases in hot geothermal brine include CO₂, H₂ S and NH₃.

The degassed hot water or brine then passes through conduit means 16 to pump 18 which discharges through the conduit means 20 via valve 21 into the top of a heat transfer column 46 in direct contact heat exchange with a working fluid. Such working fluid can be any suitable material, and characterized by a saturated vapor or saturation curve on a Mollier diagram for such fluid, having an apex at a temperature lower than the incoming hot water source temperature and at a pressure high enough to obtain good energy recovery in the expander. Also, the working fluid should have a density less than that of the water containing, e.g. brine, phase.

An example of suitable working fluids is a hydrocarbon, including aromatics, paraffins, napthalenes and olefins. Preferably the working fluid is a paraffin or olefinic hydrocarbon containing from about 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, either straight or branched chain such as methane, ethane, propane, n-butane, isobutane, n-pentane, isopentane, neopentane (2,2-dimethylpropane), n-hexane, cyclohexane, n-heptane, n-octane, isooctane, and the analogous olefins such as n-butene, isobutene, and the like. Most desirably, paraffinic or olefinic hydrocarbons containing from about 2 to about 5 carbon atoms are employed. Aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene and xylene also can be used.

Mixtures of such hydrocarbons can also be utilized, such as, for example, a mixture of methane and ethane, ethane and n-propane, or n-propane and n-butane, in order to optimize the position of the apex of the working fluid's saturation curve on a Mollier diagram, and thereby obtain maximum energy recovery from the geothermal brine or hot water feed.

Working fluids other than hydrocarbons, also can be used, such as ethers, e.g. dimethyl, diethyl and methyl ethyl ether. Other substances or mixtures are also suitable as long as the position of the apex of their respective saturation curves on a Mollier diagram is appropriate, as noted above, relative to the temperature of the hot water containing feed, and such substances or mixtures are less dense than the water containing phase.

The water containing fluid or brine fed to the column can vary widely in temperature. Inlet temperature of such water or brine to the top of the column can range from about 60° to about 600° F., usually about 100° to about 600° F., with the range of about 150° to about 400° F. being preferred. The heat transfer column 46 is operated so that the top of the column is below the critical pressure of the working fluid in the top of the column, such pressure preferably ranging from about 200 psia to about 700 psia. The working fluid is heated in the heat exchange column 46 by direct contact with the incoming hot brine or water. For this purpose a distributor 47 is provided at the top of the column, which can be in the form of a manifold having a plurality of spray nozzles (not shown) for spraying the hot brine or hot water at 51 downwardly into the column. However, other types of distributors can be employed such as a multiple "V" notched weir type, the distributor functioning to obtain sufficiently small drop sizes of hot liquid brine or water to provide good heat transfer rates.

The heat transfer column 46 can be of any conventional type such as disk-and-doughnut which would prevent back mixing and provide a large open area for any scale problems. Perforated plate dual flow trays as indicated schematically at 47' can be used with a high agitation, keeping any scale suspended.

The lower portion 49 of the heat transfer column functions as a liquid-liquid separator and can be a simple gravity separator or parallel plates (not shown) can be provided to improve separation and minimize entrainment of working fluid. However, any entrained working fluid can be recovered in the working fluid recovery section shown in FIG. 1 and described in greater detail below.

In the system described above, and illustrated in FIG. 1, the working fluid 42' passing upwardly in the column countercurrent to the flow of feed brine or water, is the continuous phase, and the brine or water distributed into the top of the column is the discontinuous phase, the interface 49' between the working fluid and the brine or water phases being at the bottom of the column.

As previously noted, the heat exchange column 46 is operated so that the working fluid in the top zone of the column will be below the working fluid's critical pressure. Therefore, there is a boiling zone at the top of the column, indicated at 47a, above the continuous working fluid phase 42', and an interface 47b between the liquid phases and the vapor space 47c at the top of the column.

The heated and vaporized working fluid in the boiling zone 47a at the top of the column passes into the vapor space 47c and is passed through conduit 22, via valve 23, to a work expander 24, where it expands to produce work which is transmitted through shaft 26. The expander outlet pressure can range from about 1 to about 600 psia, but is preferably in the range of about 30 to about 250 psia. As noted below, during expansion the expanded fluid most desirably is in the single phase vapor form, and not more than about 10% by weight of the expanded fluid being in the liquid phase.

Referring now to FIG. 5 illustrating a Mollier diagram showing enthalpy per lb. of working fluid plotted against entropy per lb. of working fluid, curve A illustrates the saturated vapor curve for a particular working fluid such as n-butane. It will be noted that the upper portion A' of curve A hooks around to the left and the upper end of curve A just as it hooks to the left and at the highest enthalpy on the curve is designated herein the apex of curve A, as represented by point B. It will be noted from FIG. 5 that practically all of the saturated vapor curve A, including the hooked portion A' thereof is below the critical pressure line for the particular working fluid, designated C, the extreme left end of such critical pressure line C touching the hooked portion A' of the vapor pressure curve A, at a point near its extremity and designated D. It will accordingly be noted that operation along substantially the entire saturated vapor line A, including the hooked portion A', such as at point E below the apex B, involves operation below the critical pressure C for the fluid, and hence involved a boiling of the working fluid in the upper portion of the heat transfer column 46.

The apex, point B, on the saturated vapor curve A is defined herein as the point on the saturated vapor curve A below the critical pressure for such fluid, and corresponding to an enthalpy and a pressure which will maximize the amount of energy of work obtained from the expander per lb. of working fluid. Hence, operation of the process according to the present invention is made to take place along saturated vapor curve A at a point on such curve which is near, that is close to or approaching, the apex B on the saturated vapor curve, and corresponding to a pressure so as to maximize the amount of work obtained from the expander, while at the same time not more than about 10% of the expanded fluid becomes liquid during expansion. Such operation close to or approaching the apex B on the saturated vapor curve can take place along the saturation curve A below the apex B or beyond apex B along the hooked portion A' of the saturated vapor curve A. Thus, for example operation can take place at a point E on the saturated vapor curve A close to or approaching the apex B, and which is at a sufficiently high subcritical pressure as indicated by the pressure line F, which will provide as close to a maximum amount of work as possible during expansion, as indicated by the vertical line G extending from point E and at a temperature indicated by the temperature line F', down to a pressure indicated by point H on the lower pressure line J.

Although the amount of work thus obtained from the expander as indicated by the vertical line G showing the change in enthalpy during expansion, is less than the amount of work as indicated by line L, which would be obtained by operating, that is expanding the working fluid from a pressure at the critical pressure or above, as described in my above copending application, more pounds of working fluid are circulated when operating under subcritical conditions as indicated by line G according to the invention, than at critical or supercritical conditions as indicated by line L.

It is noted that operation can be carried out according to the invention under subcritical conditions along the hooked portion A' of the saturated vapor curve A such as at point K and which is adjacent to or approaches the apex B. On the other hand if operation is carried out along the saturated vapor curve A at a point substantially distant from the apex B, such as at point M, a disadvantage accrues, namely the amount of work indicated by the change in enthalpy line M' thus obtained is substantially reduced. If operation is carried out along the hooked portion A' of the saturated vapor curve A, at a point substantially distant from the apex B, such as at point N, although the amount of work or energy thus obtained, as indicated by change in enthalpy line 0 is increased, a disadvantage accrues, namely, the formation of a substantial amount of liquid, that is substantially more than 10% liquid, will result during expansion, which is undesirable in that it can cause damage to the equipment.

Hence, it is preferred to operate according to the invention under subcritical pressure conditions along the saturated vapor curve A or the hooked portion A' thereof, at a point as close to the apex B as possible without having more than 10% condensation formed in the expander, that is, wherein not more than about 10% by weight of the vapors expanded is converted to the liquid phase. Preferably, the operation is carried out with a working fluid enthalpy at the expander inlet which is 0 to about 10%, most desirably 0 to about 5%, less than the enthalpy at the apex, on a water free basis. It will be understood that a small amount of water is usually present in the overhead working fluid. Thus, for example, the enthalpy at the apex of the saturated vapor curve for n-butane is about 363 BTU/lb. Accordingly, enthalpy at the expander inlet for this working fluid should be at a point on its saturated vapor curve corresponding to an enthalpy of not less than about 327 BTU/lb. and preferably not less than about 345 BTU/lb. Operation can take place at the apex B itself, provided that less than 10% condensation occurs on expansion. Hence the terms "near," "close to" and "approaching" the apex of the saturated vapor curve as employed herein also are intended to include operation at the apex, under the conditions noted above.

Turning now again to FIG. 1, following expansion in expander 24, expander discharge working fluid is then passed via conduit 28, wherein it is mixed with recovered working fluid from line 30, and the resulting mixture passes via line 32 into a cooler 34, using cool water or air fed through line 36 as cooling medium to condense working fluid. Condensation temperature in the cooler preferably is in the range of about 80° F. to about 140° F. The condensed working fluid is then fed throough conduit 38 to an accumulator 40.

Water vapor present in the working fluid in line 22 condenses in expander 24 and cooler 34, and is separated from condensed working fluid in accumulator 40, along with any uncondensibles not removed in the degasser 12.

As previously pointed out, uncondensed gas containing some working fluid is vented at 70 from the accumulator under pressure control set for an economic balance between working fluid loss in the vent gas and energy recovery in the expander. As previously noted, working fluid loss in the vent gas is decreased by degassing the inlet hot brine or water containing e.g. hot water, feed, as at 12. Accordingly, operation of accumulator 40 is carried out at a pressure greater than the saturation pressure of the working fluid, which is fixed by the temperature set in the accumulator, and which is essentially fixed by the available cooling water temperature or ambient air temperature.

This procedure reduces the concentration of working fluid vapors in the uncondensible stream vented through line 70. The following relation holds approximately:

    Y.sub.wf =P°.sub.wf /P.sub.t

where, Y_(wf) is the mole fraction of the working fluid in the vapor in the accumulator 40, P°_(wf) is the saturation pressure of the working fluid corresponding to the liquid working fluid temperature in the accumulator 40, and P_(t) is the total pressure in the accumulator 40 set by the control system. The higher the setting of P_(t), the lower the loss of working fluid in the vent gas, but also the lower the work removed from the system by expander 24 through shaft 26. There will be an economic balance point for the value of P_(t). Accordingly, the pressure in the accumulator to meet the above criteria corresponds to the expander outlet pressure less the pressure drop through the cooler 34.

The condensed working fluid in accumulator 40 is removed through line 42 and through pump 44 to pressurize the working fluid approximately to the pressure in heat transfer column 46 and the pressurized fluid is then fed via valve 45 to the bottom portion 49 of the heat transfer column 46, to be reheated. Cooled brine or water at 51 in the bottom of the heat transfer column is fed via line 48 and valve 53 therein to a flash drum 50, which is at a lower pressure than that in the accumulator. The preferred flash drum pressure is in the range of about 15 psia to about 250 psia, and the preferred flash drum temperature is in the range of about 80° F. to about 140° F. Water from accumulator 40 is fed through line 68 to flash drum 50.

The working fluid flashed off in drum 50 from the cooled brine or water at 48 and the water from the accumulator, is fed through line 52 and via valve 54 to a compressor 56. The working fluid is compressed to a pressure corresponding to the above noted pressure at the work expander outlet, and preferably ranging from about 30 psia to about 250 psia. The compressed working fluid is then returned for cooling and recovery through line 30, for admixture with the working fluid expander discharge in line 28.

Uncondensible gases plus working fluid losses are vented from the system and the accumulator 40, through line 70. Make-up working fluid can be introduced into the accumulator at 72. Cooled brine or water is discharged at 57 from the flash drum 50 through pump 58 and line 60. Any scale formed in the heat exchanger column 46 is separated at 71 in the bottom of the heat transfer column and discharged through line 62.

Use of the flash drum 50 which is held at a lower pressure than the accumulator 40, to separate flashed vapors of working fluid which are then compressed in compressor 56 so that working fluid can be recovered by cooling and condensation, is a feature of the invention process and system. Reduction of pressure in the flash drum below the saturation pressure of working fluid at the bottom of column 46 will cause entrained working fluid in line 48 to vaporize in the drum 50. Also, dissolved working fluid in both the cooled brine or water at 48 and in the water at 68 from the accumulator, will partially vaporize in the flash drum. The extent of dissolved working fluid vaporization is relatively high due to the nonideal nature of the solution.

If desired, referring to FIG. 1a, condensed water in line 68 withdrawn from the accumulator, alternatively can be introduced into a separate flash drum 74, similar to 50, with the flashed working fluid exiting therefrom at 76 being mixed with the flashed working fluid at 52 withdrawn from the flash drum 50, and the mixed working fluid passed to the intake of the compressor 56. This modification permits removal of water at 78 from the separator 74, of a purity sufficient for use as drinking water.

According to another modification, additional working fluid can be removed in the process and system illustrated in FIG. 1 if flash drum 50 is replaced by a stripping column. This modification is illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawing, employing a stripping column 50' with a portion of uncondensible gas in line 70, which contains some working fluid, recycled via line 64 and valve 65 to the stripping column 50' for stripping working fluid from the cooled brine or water in line 48 and from the accumulator water at 68. The stripping gas in line 64 consists of carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, which enter with the brine or hot water feed at 10. Where, however, the column feed is hot water which has been solar heated, the stripping gas in line 64 can be a mixture of nitrogen and oxygen resulting from the solubility of the air in the water.

Since the flash drum 50 or the stripping column 50' operates at a pressure lower than that in the accumulator 40 at the outlet of the expander-cooler system, as previously noted, any entrained or dissolved working fluid in the brine or water entering the flash drum or stripping column through line 48 will substantially vaporize. When the liquid working fluid phase is thus removed from the brine or water entering at line 48, the equilibrium working fluid concentration in the brine or water becomes very small compared to what it is in the presence of the liquid working fluid phase. Therefore, losses of working fluid in the exit brine or water at 60 are very low.

However, as previously noted, losses of working fluid occur in the exit CO₂, H₂ S and NH₃ gas at 70 from the accumulator 40. At least part of this gas is stripped out of the brine by the working fluid in the heat transfer column 46. The stripped gas purged at 70 will carry working fluid away with it. The accumulator pressure can be raised relative to the accumulator temperature to decrease the concentration of working fluid in the accumulator gas at 70. However, this mode of operation decreases the amount of energy that can be extracted from the system. At practical energy recovery levels, the purged gas at 70 will still contain substantial quantities of working fluid, of the order of about 50 to about 80% by weight. Thus, removal of gases from the geothermal brine or hot water prior to feeding the brine to the heat transfer column, e.g. by steam stripping or adsorption on a solid material, as at 12, is preferred, for reducing such working fluid losses.

In the process and system illustrated in FIG. 1, the working fluid is the continuous phase. However, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the distributor 47 can be positioned in the bottom of the heat transfer column and the pressurized working fluid in line 42 passed into the distributor and sprayed upwardly in the column in countercurrent direct heat exchange relation with the brine or water entering at the top of the column. In this embodiment the water containing or brine phase 51 is the continuous phase, the working phase is the discontinuous phase, and the interface 49" between the brine or water 51 and the working fluid phase 42' is at the top of the column, but is now a vapor-liquid interface. Droplets of working fluid 42' vaporize in the boiling zone 47a at the top of the column, and come off as a gas at 42".

In order to avoid temperature pinch in the column, that is a substantial reduction of the temperature differential between the hot brine or water and the working fluid along the length of the column, thereby substantially reducing heat transfer from the hot brine or water to the working fluid, the rate of circulation of the working fluid in the column must be decreased. However, as the flow rate of the working fluid is decreased this increases the temperature of the cooled brine or water in the bottom of the column, leaving substantial heat energy remaining in the cooled brine or water exiting the bottom of the column. Thus, where the hot brine or hot water feed is, for example, 322° F., the exiting cooled brine or water at 48 can be at a relatively high temperature of about 155° F.

In order to recover the remaining energy from the water or brine leaving the system at 48 and 60 in FIG. 1, and referring to FIG. 4, such exiting brine or water is fed into the heat transfer column 46 of a second unit B essentially identical to the energy recovery unit A illustrated in FIG. 1, and including elements 46, 24, 34, 40, 50 and 46, unit B being in series with Unit A, and the operating cycle described above is repeated in Unit B. In the Unit B, however, a different working fluid, preferably a mixture of hydrocarbons, e.g. a mixture of ethane and propane, can be used to permit adjustment of the location of the apex of the saturation curve of such working fluid in relation to the temperature of the incoming brine or water feed at 60. The result is the recovery of additional energy in Unit B from each unit of weight of brine or water exiting Unit A.

The following is an example of practice of the invention process and system described above and illustrated in FIG. 1, it being understood that such example is merely illustrative and not limitative of the invention.

EXAMPLE 1

Hot water at 322° F. is pumped into the top of a heat transfer column operated at an internal pressure of 500 psia. In the heat transfer column the hot water is passed into direct contact heat exchange relation with isobutane. The working fluid circulation in the column is set at a rate of 0.85 lb. isobutane per lb. of water, to be sure that there is no temperature pinch or substantially reduced Δt driving force between the temperature of the hot water and the isobutane working fluid throughout the length of the column.

The isobutane working fluid thus heated by the hot water feed in the heat transfer column and at a pressure in the column below the critical pressure of isobutane but close to the apex of the saturated vapor curve for isobutane on the Mollier enthalpyentropy diagram for this fluid, as illustrated in FIG. 5, boils in the top of the column, the temperature of the boiling vapors being 262° F. These overhead vapors have an enthalpy on a water free basis of 332 BTU/lb. (the apex on the saturated vapor curve for isobutane is at 334 BTU/lb.) are expanded through an expander to produce work. The expanded working fluid which is essentially in the vapor phase is discharged from the expander at a temperature of 150° F. and a pressure of 142 psia.

The isobutane working fluid is cooled and condensed in a cooler to an outlet temperature of 100° F. and a pressure of 132 psia. The isobutane working fluid condensate thus formed is introduced into an accumulator and is separated therein from uncondensible gases and condensed water. The condensed isobutane from the accumulator is then pumped at about 500 psia back into the bottom of the heat transfer column to be reheated by the hot water feed.

Cooled water from the bottom of the heat transfer column at a temperature of about 155° F., and water separated in the accumulator are fed to a flash drum operated at a pressure of 15 psia. The isobutane working fluid flashed off from the top of the flash drum is compressed to a pressure of about 142 psia and is mixed with isobutane working fluid discharged from the expander, and the resulting mixture is returned to the cooler for condensation and recovery of working fluid in the accumulator.

Water at about 155° F. is removed from the flash drum and pumped to a solar heater where it is heated to 322° F. and recycled as feed to the heat transfer column.

The uncondensible gases including nitrogen and oxygen, are vented from the system at the accumulator, carrying away some of the isobutane working fluid.

Make-up isobutane working fluid is introduced at a pressure of 132 psia into the accumulator to compensate for lost working fluid from the accumulator.

Calculated on a basis of the use of 0.85 lb. isobutane working fluid to 1 lb. of hot feed water, 8.5 Btu of net work is obtained from the system, considering all equipment including the expander and the pumps operating at 80% efficiency.

Removal of dissolved nitrogen and oxygen from the hot water feed prior to feeding the hot water to the heat transfer column decreases the amount of working fluid make-up and allows the expander outlet pressure to be reduced, thus allowing an increase in net work out of the system.

In the embodiment described above and illustrated particularly in FIG. 1, the pressure in the accumulator 40 is controlled to provide an economic balance between the energy obtained from the expander 24 and the loss of working fluid in the vent gas from the accumulator, at 70. A preferred mode of procedure embodying a number of additional features of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 6 of the drawing.

Referring to FIG. 6, hot water-containing fluid or brine indicated at 80, from a geothermal production well, is introduced under pressure into an initial brine flash drum 82, flashing off steam and uncondensible gas including H₂ S, such steam and uncondensible gases at 84 being fed to an expander 86 for recovery of energy, the expanded mixture of steam and H₂ S at 88 being introduced into an H₂ S removal system indicated at 90, and described in greater detail hereinafter.

The degassed hot brine at 92 discharged from the brine flash drum 82 is pressurized at pump 94 and the pressurized brine at 96 is introduced into the upper portion of a heat transfer column 98 which is similar in construction to the heat transfer column 46 of FIG. 1. As described above, the heat transfer column 98 is operated below the critical pressure of the working fluid, being converted to vapors in a boiling zone at the top of the column.

The heated vapors of working fluid from the top of the column are passed through conduit 100 and fed to the work expander 102 wherein vaporized working fluid expands to produce work, the expander discharge working fluid being passed via line 104 to the cooler 106, and the condensed working fluid being then fed through conduit 108 to an accumulator 110, similar to the system described in FIG. 1 above.

Condensed working fluid in accumulator 110 is removed through line 112 and is pressurized by pump 114 and recycled at 116 to the heat transfer column 98, similar to the system described in FIG. 1. Cooled brine at 118 discharged from the bottom of the heat transfer column 98, according to the present preferred embodiment, is work expanded at 120 and the expanded brine discharge is introduced at 122 into a parallel plate oil or working fluid-water separator 124 which functions to reduce entrainment and loss of working fluid. Working fluid separated in separator 124 is passed via line 125 back to the accumulator 110 for recycling to the heat transfer column 98.

The brine discharge from the oil-water separator 124 is introduced at 126 into another work expander 128, and the resulting discharged brine at 130 is introduced into the brine flash drum 132 for recovery of working fluid. If desired, only a single work expander 120 can be used, and the second work expander 128 can be omitted. The use of one or more parallel oil-water separator units 124 is preferred for more effective recovery of working fluid, but such oil-water separator units can be omitted.

The working fluid flashed off in drum 132 from the brine therein is fed through line 134 to a compressor 136 to compress the working fluid to a pressure corresponding to the pressure at the work expander outlet, and is then returned via conduit 138, for admixture with the working fluid expander discharge in line 104. Make-up working fluid in storage at 140 is pressurized at 142 and is fed as required via line 144 to the accumulator 110.

Cooled brine discharged at 146 from the brine flash drum 132 is pressurized at pump 148 and injected via line 150 into a brine injection well indicated at 151.

In a preferred mode of operation of the system of FIG. 6, the working fluid recovery flash drum 132 is operated at a higher pressure than the flash drum 50 in FIG. 1 and which is sufficiently high so that the recycle of uncondensible gases via line 138 to the accumulator 110 is low enough so that the accumulator can be operated with little or no vent gas at 152. By the term "little or no vent gas" from the accumulator is meant substantially no vent gas. For this purpose, the pressure in flash drum 132 is in the range of about 15 psia to about 250 psia, the corresponding flash drum temperature being in the range of about 80° F. to about 200° F.

In conjunction with such increased pressure in the flash drum 132, the accumulator 110 is operated at a lower pressure than accumulator 40 in FIG. 1, the accumulator 110 being operated essentially at the saturation pressure of the working fluid corresponding to the working fluid temperature in the accumulator, and which is a function of the available cooling water temperature. The pressure in the accumulator, for this purpose, can range from about 1 psia to about 600 psia, and the temperature from about 80° F. to about 150° F. Although the result of this procedure is to increase the loss of working fluid in the brine discharged from the flash drum 132 and which is injected into the brine injection well, the loss of working fluid in any vent gas from the accumulator at 152 is substantially eliminated. The result is that the overall or total loss of working fluid in the spent brine at 150 and in any vent gas at 152 will be less than in the procedure described above and employed in the operation of the process illustrated in FIG. 1. At the same time, the operation of the accumulator 110 at a relatively low pressure maximizes the amount of energy which can be extracted from the expander 102.

In the mode of procedure described above and illustrated in FIG. 6, uncondensible gas containing H₂ S as well as other uncondensibles such as CO₂ and NH₃, is dissolved in the spent brine at 150, injected into the brine injection well, and in the condensate water at 154 in the accumulator 110. The process and system described above in relation to FIG. 6 is particularly effective when the concentration of uncondensible gas in the brine feed at 96 is relatively low, whereas the procedure described above and illustrated in FIG. 1, employing lower flash drum pressures and higher accumulator pressures, is effective at relatively high concentrations of uncondensible gas in the brine feed to the heat transfer column.

Referring now to FIG. 7, showing a preferred H₂ S removal system 90 employed in conjunction with the geothermal energy conversion process and system of FIG. 6, H₂ S-containing water condensate from the accumulator 110 is introduced via conduit 156 to a stripping column 158. Overhead steam at 88 discharged from the brine flash expander 86 in FIG. 6 and containing uncondensible gas including H₂ S, is first cooled at 163 and the water therein is partially condensed. Water condensate withdrawn at 156 from the accumulator 110 is mixed with the cooled partially condensed mixture from the brine flash expander, and the resulting mixture is introduced at 164 into the upper portion of the stripping column 158. Air, compressed at 160, is introduced at 162 into the lower portion of the stripping column 158. The stripping column 158 can be operated at pressures ranging from about 15 psia to about 100 psia and temperatures of about 100° F. to 200° F. The mixture of overhead gases 165 from the stripping column 158, including air, steam and H₂ S gas, is introduced into a system for carrying out a modified Claus process at 167. The conventional Claus process is well known, e.g. as described in Chemical Process Industries, Third edition, R.N. Shreve, McGraw Hill Book Co., 1967, page 324. In this process, H₂ S is oxidized or burned first to form SO₂, additional H₂ S then reacting with the SO₂ to produce sulfur. Accordingly, sufficient air is introduced at 162 into the stripping column 158 for proper reaction with the H₂ S in the Claus process to produce sulfur. However, the Claus process carried out at 167 according to the present invention is a modified Claus process since steam is also present with the mixture of air and H₂ S introduced into the Claus process, the steam functioning to modify such process by adding an additional volume of diluting gas to the feed stream, and thus affecting the size and rating of equipment. Any gas containing H₂ S vented from the accumulator 110 at 152 in FIG. 6, also can be introduced to the modified Claus process at 167.

Sulfur is recovered at 166 from the modified Claus process 167, and exhaust gas at 168 from such process can be work expanded at 170 and discharged at 172.

Good quality water is discharged at 174 from the bottom of the stripping column 158, and is passed through pump 176 and recovered at 178. Steam discharged at different pressures at 180 and 181 from the modified Claus process can be work expanded in successive expanders 182 and 184, and the expanded discharge cooled at 185 and introduced into a separator 186, the resulting condensate discharged at 188 being fed to a pump 190 and the pump dischrge at 192 being mixed at 194 with a portion of the water discharged from the stripping column 158, and the resulting water mixture fed by conduit 196 to the modified Claus process 167. Overhead steam at 198 from the separator 186 is passed through vacuum producing means indicated at 200, and the resulting low pressure steam at 202 is vented.

The following is an example of practice of the invention process and system described above and illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

EXAMPLE 2

A hot brine from a geothermal well at a temperature of 330° F. is flashed to remove uncondensible gas and is pumped into the top of a heat transfer column operated at an internal pressure of about 414 psia. In the heat transfer column the brine is passed into direct contact heat exchange relation with isobutane introduced into the lower portion of the column.

The isobutane working fluid heated by the hot brine feed in the heat transfer column, is converted to a boiling fluid which exits the heat transfer column at a temperature of 246° F. and is expanded through an expander to produce work. The expanded working fluid discharged from the expander is at a temperature of 138° F. and a pressure of 75 psia.

The isobutane working fluid is cooled and condensed in a cooler to an outlet temperature of about 100° F. and a pressure of 73.5 psia. The isobutane working fluid-water condensate thus formed is introduced into an accumulator and is separated therein from uncondensible gases and condensed water. The condensed isobutane from the accumulator is then pumped at about 414 psia back into the bottom of the heat transfer column to be reheated by the hot brine feed.

Cooled brine from the bottom of the heat transfer column at a temperature of about 138° F. is introduced into a work expander and the expanded discharged brine is fed to a flash drum operated at a pressure of 33 psia. The isobutane working fluid flashed off from the top of the flash drum and at a temperature of about 138° F. is compressed to a pressure of about 75 psia and is mixed with isobutane working fluid discharged from the first mentioned expander, and the resulting mixture is returned to the cooler for condensation and recovery of working fluid in the accumulator.

Brine at about 138° F. and containing a small amount of isobutane and dissolved uncondensible gas, is removed from the flash drum and pumped at about 1500 psig to a brine injection well.

Under the relatively high pressure of 33 psia in the brine flash drum and the relatively low pressure of 73.5 psia in the accumulator, which is approximately at the saturation pressure corresponding to the approximately 100° F. temperature of the isobutane in the accumulator, there is little or no vent gas from the accumulator. Any small amount of uncondensible gas entering the system leaves dissolved in the brine sent to the injection well and in the water condensate from the accumulator.

Make-up isobutane working fluid is introduced at a pressure of 73.5 psia into the accumulator to compensate for lost working fluid.

Calculated on a basis of the use of 1 lb. isobutane working fluid to 1 lb. of hot brine feed, 17.0 BTU of net work is obtained from the system, considering all equipment including expanders and the pumps operating at 80% efficiency. The rate of loss of isobutane from the system is about 0.005% of the total isobutane working fluid circulation rate through the system.

In the H₂ S removal system, steam and uncondensible gas from the initial flashing of the brine feed prior to introduction thereof into the heat exchange column, and at a temperature of 330° F. and a pressure of about 104 psia, and containing CO₂ and H₂ S is work expanded, the discharged steam containing the uncondensible gases being at a pressure of 26.5 psia and a temperature of 243° F. Such steam is cooled and mixed with the water condensate from the accumulator at 100° F. and containing a small amount of isobutane and a trace of H₂ S and CO₂. The resulting mixture at about 160° F. is introduced into a stripping column, into which is also fed compressed air at a temperature of 257° F.

Good quality water at about 158° F. is removed from the bottom of the stripping column. The overhead from the stripping column and consisting of a mixture of steam, air, a small amount of isobutane, CO₂ and H₂ S is fed to a modified Claus process producing sulfur as product. The exhaust gas from the modified Claus process at 61 psia and 250° F. is work expanded and removed at a temperature of 174° F. Steam discharged from the modified Claus process at 50 psia and 165 psia is work expanded in separate expanders and condensed, and the condensate, at about 100° F. is mixed with a portion of the water from the bottom of the stripping column and is recycled to the modified Claus process. There is a net production of good quality water from the bottom of the stripping column of about 0.06 lb. per lb. of brine feed.

In the H₂ S removal system a net gain of 0.18 BTU of energy per lb. of brine feed is recovered, with all mechanical equipment considered as operating at 80% efficiency.

Energy can also be recovered according to the invention from water sources at lower temperatures than geothermal brines. Thus, for example, ocean brines, which are solar heated, and often at temperatures substantially lower than 100° F., e.g. down to about 60° F., can be used as feed in the invention process and system. Such brines are also understood to be encompassed within the term "hot water sources" employed herein, as contrasted to sea water brines of substantially lower temperature, for example deep sea water at about 35° F. Where ocean brine at a temperature of about 60° F. is employed as feed to the invention process and system, the working fluid can be in the form of a mixture of ethane and a small amount of methane.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the invention affords a novel and efficient process and system for recovery of energy from geothermal brines and other hot water sources, employing direct contact heat exchange between the hot geothermal brine or water containing fluid, e.g. hot water, and a working fluid, preferably a hydrocarbon such as propane, n-butane, or isobutane, operating particularly under subcritical pressure conditions with respect to such working fluid, for extraction of energy from the heated working fluid in an expander, and incorporating procedure and means for efficient recovery of working fluid and recycling thereof for heat transfer with the geothermal brine or other water-containing feed, particularly under conditions maximizing energy recovery from the system. The invention also includes as an additional feature the efficient removal of uncondensible gases, particularly H₂ S, in conjunction with a procedure and system for converting such H₂ S to sulfur.

It will be apparent that the method of the above Sheinbaum U.S. Pat. No. 3,988,895 also can be improved by incorporating the novel features of the present application into such method.

Further, the heated and vaporized working fluid can be passed through a particulate matter removal unit for removal of any suspended solid particles from the vapor prior to introduction of the vapor into the expander. Also, the working fluid vapor flashed off from the flash drum, e.g. 132, to which the cooled brine or water from the heat transfer column is fed, can be passed first to a direct contact condenser and separator unit, prior to being introduced into the accumulator. Such direct contact condenser can be operated by cold water from a cooling tower, and as an additional feature, calcium hydroxide solution can be introduced into the direct contact condenser into contact with the working fluid therein. The calcium hydroxide treatment aids in removal of any CO₂ present in the working fluid vapor, and also aids in reducing working fluid losses. The working fluid condensed and separated in this unit is introduced into the accumulator, as at 110, and the water separated in such unit can be recycled to the cooling tower for further condensing duty in the unit. These features are the invention of Edward F. Wahl, III, disclosed and claimed in an application Ser. No. 114,386, filed Jan. 22, 1980, entitled "Removal of Carbon Dioxide in Geothermal Power Systems."

While I have described particular embodiments of my invention for purposes of illustration, it will be understood that various changes and modifications within the spirit of the invention can be made, and the invention is not to be taken as limited except by the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. Process for recovery of energy from elevated temperature or hot water-containing fluids which contain uncondensible gas, including geothermal brines and other elevated temperature water sources, which comprises(a) contacting said water-containing fluid which contains uncondensible gas in heat exchange relation with a working fluid in liquid form in a heat transfer zone, to produce a cooled water-containing fluid, (b) heating said working fluid by such contact at a temperature to produce boiling thereof in the upper portion of said heat transfer zone, said heat transfer zone being maintained at a pressure below the critical pressure of said working fluid, to produce resulting vapors of working fluid and water together with uncondensible gas, (c) expanding the resulting vapors and gas in an expander to produce work, and discharging the expanded vapors and gas from said expander, (d) withdrawing cooled water-containing fluid from said heat transfer zone of step (a) containing working fluid, (e) flashing said cooled water-containing fluid of step (d) in a flash zone to flash off the working fluid therein including uncondensible gas, and leave cooled liquid, and discharging said cooled liquid, (f) compressing the flashed-off working fluid and said gas, (g) mixing said compressed working fluid and said gas from step (f) with the expanded vapors and gas discharged from said expander of step (c) to form a mixture, (h) cooling said mixture and condensing the expanded working fluid vapor and water vapor therein, to form condensed working fluid and condensed water vapor, (i) separating, in an accumulator zone, condensed working fluid from condensed water vapor and recycled uncondensible gas from step (h), (j) returning said condensed working fluid to said heat transfer zone for reheating therein, and (k) carrying out said flashing in step (e) of said cooled water-containing fluid at a pressure sufficiently high in relation to the pressure in said accumulator zone so that the recycle of flashed-off uncondensible gas from said flash zone to said accumulator zone is reduced to a level such that there is essentially little or no vent gas discharged from said accumulator zone.
 2. The process as defined in claim 1, said heat transfer zone being maintained at a pressure below the critical pressure of said working fluid, and corresponding to operation at a point on the saturated vapor curve of the Mollier enthalpy-entropy diagram for said working fluid, close to the apex on said saturated vapor curve.
 3. The process as defined in claim 1, said accumulator zone being operated substantially at the working fluid saturation pressure corresponding to the working fluid temperature in said accumulator zone.
 4. The process as defined in claim 1, wherein uncondensible gas in said cooled and condensed working fluid from said expander of step (h), and in said water-containing fluid withdrawn from said heat transfer zone of step (d) and flashed in said flash zone, is dissolved in the condensed water vapor in said accumulator zone of step (i) and in the cooled liquid discharged from said flash zone.
 5. The process as defined in claim 1, wherein said working fluid is a hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of aromatics, paraffins, naphthenes and olefins, and mixtures thereof.
 6. The process as defined in claim 1, wherein said working fluid is a paraffinic or olefinic hydrocarbon containing from about 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, or mixtures thereof.
 7. The process as defined in claim 6, said hydrocarbon containing 2 to 5 carbon atoms, selected from the group consisting of methane, ethane, propane, n-butane, isobutane, n-pentane, isopentane and neopentane, and the analogous olefins, and mixtures thereof.
 8. The process as defined in claim 1, including the step of removing the major portion of uncondensible gas also contained in said hot water-containing fluid prior to introduction thereof into said heat transfer zone.
 9. The process as defined in claim 8, said last mentioned step comprising flashing said hot water-containing fluid prior to introduction thereof into said heat transfer zone to flash off a mixture of steam and uncondensible gas, and work expanding said mixture to recover energy
 10. The process as defined in claim 1, including work expanding said cooled water-containing fluid withdrawn from said heat transfer zone of step (d) prior to flashing said fluid in said flash zone of step (e).
 11. The process as defined in claim 1, including passing said cooled water-containing fluid withdrawn from said heat transfer zone of step (d) prior to flashing said fluid in said flash zone of step (e), into a separator zone to separate working fluid in said cooled water-containing fluid, and returning said separated working fluid to said accumulator zone.
 12. The process as defined in claim 1, said hot water-containing fluid being brine, and including injecting the cooled brine discharged from said flash zone, into a brine injection well.
 13. The process as defined in claim 1, said flash zone being maintained at a pressure ranging from about 15 to about 250 psia and at a temperature ranging from about 80° F. to about 200° F.
 14. The process as defined in claim 1, the pressure in said accumulator zone being in the range of about 1 to about 600 psia, and the temperature in the range of about 80° F. to about 150° F., and said flash zone being maintained at a pressure ranging from about 15 to about 250 psia and at a temperature ranging from about 80° F. to about 200° F.
 15. The process as defined in claim 1, said hot water containing fluid being brine.
 16. Process for recovery of energy from elevated elevated temperature or hot water-containing fluids which contain steam and uncondensible gas including H₂ S, including geothermal brines and other elevated temperature water sources, which comprises(a) flashing said hot water-containing fluid to flash off a mixture of steam and uncondensible gas, and leaving a resulting water-containing fluid containing residual uncondensible gas, (b) work expanding said mixture to recover energy, (c) contacting the resulting water-containing fluid containing residual uncondensible gas in direct heat exchange relation with a working fluid in liquid form in a heat transfer zone, (d) heating said working fluid by such contact at a temperature to produce boiling thereof in the upper portion of said heat transfer zone, said heat transfer zone being maintained at a pressure below the critical pressure of said working fluid, to produce resulting vapors of working fluid and water together with uncondensible gas, (e) expanding the resulting vapors and uncondensible gas in an expander to produce work, and discharging the expanded vapors of working fluid and water and uncondensible gas from said expander, (f) cooling the expanded vapors and uncondensible gas from step (e) and condensing the expanded working fluid vapor and water vapor to form condensed working fluid and liquid water, (g) separating, in an accumulator zone, condensed working fluid from liquid water and uncondensible gas from step (f), (h) returning said condensed working fluid to said heat transfer zone for reheating therein, (i) cooling said work expanded mixture of steam and uncondensible gas containing H₂ S, from step (b) and partially condensing water from said mixture, (j) withdrawing water condensate from said accumulator zone of step (g), (k) mixing said last mentioned water condensate with said cooled work expanded partially condensed mixture of steam and uncondensible gas containing H₂ S of step (i), and introducing the resulting mixture into a stripping zone, (1) passing air through said stripping zone, (m) removing from said stripping zone an overhead mixture comprising steam, H₂ S and air, (n) introducing said last mentioned mixture into a modified Claus process, (o) converting said H₂ S in said mixture in step (n) to sulfur in said modified Claus process, and (p) removing said sulfur.
 17. The process as defined in claim 16, including work expanding steam and exhaust gases from said modified Claus process and withdrawing good quality water from the bottom of said stripping zone.
 18. The process as defined in claim 16, including withdrawing any vent gas containing H₂ S from said accumulator zone and introducing said vent gas into said modified Claus process.
 19. Process for recovery of energy from elevated temperature or hot water-containing fluids which contain steam and uncondensible gas, including geothermal brines and other elevated temperature water sources, which comprises(a) flashing said hot water-containing fluid to flash off a mixture of steam and uncondensible gas, and leaving a resulting water-containing fluid containing residual uncondensible gas, (b) work expanding said mixture to recover energy, (c) contacting the resulting water-containing fluid containing residual uncondensible gas in direct heat exchange relation with a working fluid in liquid form, in a heat transfer zone, (d) heating said working fluid by such contact at a temperature to produce boiling thereof in the upper portion of said heat transfer zone, said heat transfer zone being maintained at a pressure below the critical pressure of said working fluid, and corresponding to operation at a point on the saturated vapor curve of the Mollier enthalpyentropy diagram for said working fluid, close to the apex on said saturated vapor curve, to produce resulting vapors of working fluid and water together with uncondensible gas, (e) expanding the resulting vapors and uncondensible gas in an expander to produce work, and discharging the expanded vapors of working fluid and water and uncondensible gas from said expander, (f) cooling the expanded vapors and uncondensible gas from step (e) and condensing the expanded working fluid vapor and water vapor to form condensed working fluid and liquid water, (g) separating, in an accumulator zone, condensed working fluid from liquid water and uncondensible gas from step (f), and (h) returning said condensed working fluid to said heat transfer zone for reheating therein.
 20. Process for recovery of energy from elevated temperature or hot water-containing fluids including geothermal brines and other elevated temperature water sources, which comprises(a) contacting said water-containing fluid which contains uncondensible gas in direct heat exchange relation with a working fluid in liquid form in a heat transfer zone, to produce a cooled water-containing fluid, (b) heating said working fluid by such contact at a temperature to produce boiling thereof in the upper portion of said heat transfer zone, said heat transfer zone being maintained at a pressure below the critical pressure of said working fluid, to produce resulting vapors of working fluid and water together with uncondensible gas, (c) expanding the resulting vapors and uncondensible gas in an expander to produce work, and discharging the expanded vapors of working fluid and water and uncondensible gas from said expander, (d) withdrawing cooled water-containing fluid from said heat transfer zone of step (a) and containing working fluid, (e) flashing said cooled water-containing fluid of step (d) to flash off the working fluid therein, including uncondensible gas, (f) compressing the flashed-off working fluid and uncondensible gas from step (e), (g) mixing said compressed working fluid and said uncondensible gas from step (f), with the expanded vapors and uncondensible gas discharged from said expander of step (c) to form a mixture, (h) cooling said last mentioned mixture and condensing the working fluid vapor and water vapor in said mixture to form condensed working fluid and liquid water, (i) separating in an accumulator zone condensed working fluid from liquid water and uncondensible gas from step (h), (j) returning said condensed working fluid to said heat transfer zone for reheating therein, (k) passing said cooled water-containing fluid containing working fluid, withdrawn from said heat transfer zone in step (d) prior to flashing said fluid in step (e), into a separator zone to separate working fluid in said cooled water-containing fluid, and (l) returning said separated working fluid to said accumulator zone.
 21. The process as defined in claim 20, including also work expanding said cooled water-containing fluid withdrawn from said heat transfer zone prior to flashing said fluid in said flash zone.
 22. System for recovering energy from hot water-containing fluids including geothermal brines and other hot water sources, which comprises in combination(a) a heat transfer column, (b) means for pressurizing and introducing said hot water containing fluid into said column, (c) means for introducing a working fluid into said column, (d) means for maintaining said heat transfer column below the critical pressure of said working fluid, (e) means providing a boiling zone for said working fluid at the top of the column, (f) an expander, (g) means for withdrawing hot working fluid which also contains water vapor and uncondensible gas from said column and introducing said fluid as feed to said expander, (h) cooling means for cooling and condensing said expanded working fluid, (i) accumulator means for separating and condensing working fluid from condensed water vapor and uncondensible gas, (j) conduit means interconnecting said expander, said cooling means and said accumulator means, (k) means for returning said condensed working fluid to said heat transfer column, (1) means for removing at least a portion of uncondensible gas, stream and H₂ S, also contained in said hot water containing fluid prior to introduction thereof into said heat transfer column, said last mentioned means including flash means to flash off steam and uncondensible gas, (m) a steam expander interconnected with said flash means for recovering the energy from said steam, (n) a stripping column, (o) conduit means for interconnecting said steam expander and said stripping column, (p) cooling means in said last mentioned conduit means for cooling expanded steam containing uncondensibles including H₂ S, prior to introduction into said stripping column, (q) conduit means for introducing water condensate from said accumulator means into said conduit means interconnecting said steam expander and said stripping column, downstream from said cooling means, (r) means for introducing air into said stripping column, (s) means for withdrawing water from the bottom of said stripping column, (t) means for converting H₂ S from said stripping column, into sulfur, (u) conduit means interconnecting said stripping column and said last mentioned means, for introducing a mixture of steam, air and uncondensible gas including H₂ S into said H₂ S converting means, and (v) means for withdrawing sulfur from said last mentioned means.
 23. The system as defined in claim 22, including conduit means for withdrawing exhaust gas and steam from said means for converting H₂ S to sulfur, and means for work expanding said exhaust gas and said last mentioned steam for recovery of energy.
 24. The system as defined in claim 22, the H₂ S converting means being a modified Claus system.
 25. The system as defined in claim 22, said pressurizing means in (b) being pump means, and said means for withdrawing water from the bottom of said stripping column in (s) being conduit means.
 26. System for recovering energy from hot water-containing fluids including geotherml brines and other hot water sources, which comprises in combination(a) a heat transfer column, (b) pump means for pressurizing and introducing said hot water-containing fluid into said column, (c) means for introducing a working fluid into said column, (d) means for maintaining said heat transfer column below the critical pressure of said working fluid, (e) means providing a boiling zone for said working fluid at the top of the column, (f) an expander, (g) means for withdrawing hot working fluid which also contains water vapor and uncondensible gas from said column and introducing said fluid as feed to said expander, (h) cooling means for cooling and condensing said expanded working fluid, (i) accumulator means for separating and condensing working fluid from condensed water vapor and uncondensible gas, (j) conduit means interconnecting said expander, said cooling means and said accumulator means, (k) means for returning said condensed working fluid to said heat transfer column, (l) conduit means for withdrawing cooled water-containing fluid from the bottom portion of said heat transfer column, (m) flash means, said conduit means communicating with said flash means for introducing said cooled water containing fluids therein, (n) means for compressing the resulting flashed working fluid withdrawn from said flash means, (o) conduit means interconnecting said flash means and said compressing means, (p) conduit means from the discharge of said compressing means for mixing the compressed working fluid with the working fluid discharged from said expander and prior to introduction thereof into said cooling means and (q) work expander means in said conduit means for withdrawing cooled water-containing fluid from the bottom portion of said heat transfer column and communicating with said flash means, for work expanding and recovering energy from said water-containing fluid prior to introduction thereof into said flash means.
 27. The system as defined in claim 26, including working fluid-water containing fluid separating means in said conduit means for withdrawing cooled water containing fluid from the bottom portion of said heat transfer column, prior to said flash means, and conduit means interconnecting said last mentioned separating means and said accumulator means, for returning separated working fluid to said accumulator means.
 28. System for recovering energy from hot water-containing fluids including geotherml brines and other hot water sources, which comprises in combination(a) a heat transfer column, (b) pump means for pressurizing and introducing said hot water-containing fluid into said column, (c) means for introducing a working fluid into said column, (d) means for maintaining said heat transfer column below the critical pressure of said working fluid, (e) means providing a boiling zone for said working fluid at the top of the column, (f) an expander, (g) means for withdrawing hot working fluid which also contains water vapor and uncondensible gas from said column and introducing said fluid as feed to said expander, (h) cooling means for cooling and condensing said expanded working fluid, (i) accumulator means for separating and condensing working fluid from condensed water vapor and uncondensible gas, (j) conduit means interconnecting said expander, said cooling means and said accumulator means, (k) means for returning said condensed working fluid to said heat transfer column, (l) conduit means for withdrawing cooled watercontaining fluid from the bottom portion of said heat transfer column, (m) flash means, said last mentioned conduit means communicating with said flash means for introducing said cooled water-containing fluid therein, (n) means for compressing the resulting flashed working fluid withdrawn from said flash means, (o) conduit means interconnecting said flash means and said compressing means, (p) conduit means from the discharge of said compressing means for mixing the compressed working fluid with the working fluid discharged from said expander and prior to introduction thereof into said cooling means, (q) working fluid-water-containing fluid separating means in said conduit means (1) for withdrawing cooled water-containing fluid from the bottom portion of said heat transfer column, prior to said flash means, and (r) conduit means interconnecting said last mentioned separating means and said accumulator means, for returning separated working fluid to said accumulator means.
 29. Process for recovery of energy from elevated temperature or hot water-containing fluids which contain uncondensible gas, including geothermal brines and other elevated temperature water sources, which comprises(a) contacting said water-containing fluid which contains uncondensible gas in direct heat exchange relation with a working fluid in liquid form in a heat transfer zone, to produce a cooled water-containing fluid, (b) heating said working fluid by such contact at a temperature to produce boiling thereof in the upper portion of said heat transfer zone, said heat transfer zone being maintained at a pressure below the critical pressure of said working fluid, to produce resulting vapors of working fluid and water together with uncondensible gas, (c) expanding the resulting vapors and uncondensible gas in an expander to produce work, and discharging the expanded vapors of working fluid and water and uncondensible gas from said expander. (d) withdrawing cooled water-containing fluid from said heat transfer zone of step (a), and containing working fluid, (e) work expanding said cooled water-containing fluid withdrawn from said heat transfer zone in step (d), (f) flashing said cooled work-expanded water-containing fluid of step (e) to flash off the working fluid therein including uncondensible gas, (g) compressing the flashed-off working fluid, and uncondensible gas from step (f), (h) mixing said compressed working fluid and said uncondensible gas from step (g) with the expanded vapors and uncondensible gas discharged from said expander of step (c) to form a mixture, (i) cooling said last mentioned mixture and condensing the working fluid vapor and water vapor in said mixture to form condensed working fluid and liquid water, (j) separating condensed working fluid from liquid water and uncondensible gas from step (i), and (k) returning said condensed working fluid to said heat transfer zone for reheating therein. 